Abstract: Vaccines for diseases caused by normally encapsulated organisms are produced by genetically modifying those organisms by deleting the genes encoding for capsule synthesis or a portion thereof sufficient to produce non-capsulated mutants of the organisms. As an example, a live, attenuated strain of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae genetically modified with a large deletion in a chromosomal regions of the DNA which encodes for capsule synthesis is a safe and effective vaccine against swine pleuropneumonia.

Abstract: A method for intracellular electro-manipulation is provided. The method includes applying at least one ultrashort electric field pulse to target cells. The ultrashort electric field pulse has sufficient amplitude and duration to modify subcellular structures in the target cells and does not exceed the breakdown field of the medium containing the target cells. The amplitude and duration of the ultrashort electric field pulse are typically insufficient to substantially alter permeability of the surface membranes of the target cells, e.g., by irreversibly disrupting the cell surface membranes. An apparatus for intracellular electro-manipulation is also provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator capable of producing an ultrashort electric pulse output and a delivery system capable of directing the electric pulse output to target cells.

Abstract: A millimeter or submillimeter wavelength device including a substrate (2) having a horn shaped cavity (18), and first and second extension layers formed on a top surface of the substrate adjacent to the horn shaped cavity. The first and second extension layers define additional opposed sides of the horn shaped cavity, channels, and walls of the waveguide. Internal surfaces of the horn shaped cavity, the channels, and the waveguide walls include a conductive layer. Two such structures, which are mirror images of each other, are joined to form a horn antenna with integrated channels and a waveguide. The device is fabricated by forming a resist layer on a substrate which includes a horn shaped cavity. The resist layer is etched to form a half horn antenna, channels and walls of a waveguide. Internal surfaces of the half horn antenna, the channels, and the walls of the waveguide are then metalized. Two such metalized structures are then joined to form a full horn antenna integrated with channels and a waveguide.

Abstract: A method is provided employing A2A adenosine receptor agonists as vasodilators to detect the presence and assess the severity of coronary artery stenosis.

Abstract: A novel predator bacterium Burkholderia casidae is disclosed. The invention is directed to the isolation and use of Burkholderia casidae to control microbial diseases of plants. The genetic, biochemical and physiological characteristics of Burkholderia casidae are described. Biocontrol compositions comprising Burkholderia casidae, and antimicrobial compounds and antimicrobial preparations prepared from Burkholderia casidae are also disclosed, as are methods for accomplishing all of the foregoing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vector for stably transforming cells. The vector comprises the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria as a marker. The invention also provides stably transfected cell lines which may be used to assess real-time biological processes, including tumor cell migration.

Abstract: A system allows routine coupling of HPLC separations to sheathless &mgr;-ESI sources for MS analysis. Characteristics of this system include stable electrospray throughout the HPLC gradient at low and high flow rates, lower background than conventional sources, and control over the width of eluting HPLC peaks without degradation of HPLC performance. This system includes a pre-column solvent flow splitter, a metal union in the split waste line for application of &mgr;-ESI voltage, a divert valve containing two different size restrictors for control of flow, and pulled fused silica capillaries as &mgr;-ESI emitters. The pulled tips allowed stable operation of the system with column flow rates ranging from ca. 5→250 nL/min.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for the deposition of SiO2 and other oxide dielectric materials using a near room temperature thermal chemical vapor deposition process. The films have chemical, physical, optical, and electrical properties similar to or better than those of oxide films deposited using conventional, high temperature thermal CVD methods. The films of the invention are useful in the manufacture of semiconductor devices of sub-micron feature size and for food packaging.

Abstract: Seaweed supplement is included in diet of mammals and poultry to enhance immune response. In one embodiment, pasture forage is treated with seaweed supplement. When cattle or lambs are grazed on seaweed supplement treated endophyte-infected forage, immune function is preserved or depressed immune function is reversed. The enhanced immune function continues to the feedlot finishing phase even though no seaweed supplement is fed in that phase. In an independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to pigs exposed to PRRS disease to impart resistance to said disease and improve performance. In still another independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to lactating mares prior to weaning to mitigate the stress of weaning.

Abstract: Mono- and di-iodinated nonoxynol-9-derivatives and methods for their use are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for the delivery and stabilization of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to cells. The unmodified ODNs are complexed to a polynuclear platinum compound or to a structural derivative thereof. Complexation neutralizes the charge of the ODN and makes possible its passage into the cell, without the addition of other transfection agents. The invention may be used in the treatment any disease which is amenable to treatment by antisense ODNs. In addition, the invention provides a new method specifically for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of MP-1. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding MP-1. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of MP-1 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of MP-1 are provided.

Abstract: Isolated soybean phytase polypeptides and isolated nucleic acids encoding soybean phytases are provided. The invention is also directed to nucleic acid expression constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the isolated soybean phytase nucleic acids, as well as methods for producing recombinant and non-recombinant purified soybean phytase. The invention also relates to transgenic plants expressing the soybean phytase, particularly expression under seed-specific expression control elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for studying translation initiation and for identifying potential inhibitors of translation initiation by expressing proteins in the presence of misacylated suppressor tRNAs.

Abstract: A family of trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerenes and their preparation are described. The trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerenes have the general formula A3-nXn@Cm where n ranges from 0 to 3, A and X may be trivalent metals and may be either rare earth metal or group IIIB metals, and m is between about 60 and about 200. Further, the A3-nXn@C68, A3-nXn@C78, A3-nXn@C80 families of endohedral fullerenes are described. The trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerenes are produced by charging a reactor with a cored graphite rod that has been filled with a metal oxide graphite mixture. The metal oxides correspond to the metals for A and X. The graphite rod is arc discharged in a helium and nitrogen atmosphere to produce the desired trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerenes.

Abstract: The present invention is a new and distinct fall bearing red raspberry cultivar named ‘Josephine’, which is capable of producing fruit on primocanes, the fruit being larger, with tougher skin and more cohesive than that of the standard cultivars. The cultivar is characterized by moderate suckering ability and its large, round and extremely symmetrical fruit which ripens later than standard cultivars. Most drupelets tear apart rather than separate from each other and it is common to observe perfectly curvilinear rows of drupelets, i.e. along the latitudinal circumference of the fruit.